Truman Madsen - Why does he get a Pass ??

[_evolving]

I just read my mission journal again, I'm trying to recover any joyful memories of my "best two years.." well it turns out I loved Truman Madsen I had a massive man crush on his intellect, and his ability to turn the most mundane detail of Joseph's life into a thrilling spiritual moment. I served 6 months near Nauvoo, and I loved every moment, I took every chance to get there and walk around looking at the past through his eyes, listening to his talk tapes, just wandering down the streets. it was good times..

fast forward to today... I just listened to part of the same talk tape with a new perspective.. I know which journals he is pulling his data from, which books he is sourcing, which papers he is quoting, and how he is butchering the real story. He is pulling every faith promoting rumor, third and fourth hand story 85 years removed. he has a tendency to quote the most “faith promoting” pieces painting a very very slanted story. Bordering on Paul H Dunn on some occasions. His telling of the last day at the Carthage Jail nearly made me throw up all over my keyboard.

I just realized in my moment of anger. I have never read anything on any boards about his attempt to “paint the pig” or “polish the turd” why does he get the pass?? does any one here know ?? Just curious ?? ~evolving

[_Mercury]

overwhelming obscurity and marginalization.

[_Gadianton]

Do you mean, why does nobody attack him?

It might be as Mercury says, because he's not so well-known. though I just now discovered a flashy website dedicated to him as if he's a cult icon. I never had read anything by him until about five minutes ago. In the past I've always skipped threads about him for some reason, probably because I hadn't read anything by him. Anyway, the little piece I just read, 11 Golden questions on Meridian is mind-numbing. He's kicking around the net enough, if someone can figure out how to contact him, he should be invited to our forum. Aparently, he's been hiting the fireside circuit so heavy for the last 40 years conversing only with his worshipers that any abilities he has to think issues through clearly has been lost. I'm sure even the least of the critics could take him apart easily. Somone go to RFM and find the most unarticulate, loud and angry anti-Mormon and I'll put my money on him or her in an intellectual cage match with Madsen any day.

[_Ray A]

Do you mean, why does nobody attack him?

Hello, Gadfly, I see you've come back to spread your unbelief. When we die, "that's it", right? I thought you gave your "farewell" posts long ago. Not a turncoat, are you?

It might be as Mercury says, because he's not so well-known. though I just now discovered a flashy website dedicated to him as if he's a cult icon. I never had read anything by him until about five minutes ago.

You can't be serious? Truman is a motivational speaker. I did not agree with his biography of Roberts, but in his own right he's a very inspirational human being with a solid conviction about his personal beliefs. His book Christ and the Inner Life was one of the most inspirational books I ever read.

In the past I've always skipped threads about him for some reason, probably because I hadn't read anything by him. Anyway, the little piece I just read, 11 Golden questions on Meridian is mind-numbing. He's kicking around the net enough, if someone can figure out how to contact him, he should be invited to our forum.

I agree. Let him expound on his views, especially since you've only known him for five minutes.

Aparently, he's been hiting the fireside circuit so heavy for the last 40 years conversing only with his worshipers that any abilities he has to think issues through clearly has been lost.

Of course, when Truman speaks, the thinking has been done. "His worshippers"? As far as I know the only one LDS worship is God the Father and Jesus Christ. You got some information I'm not privy to?

I'm sure even the least of the critics could take him apart easily.

"Take him apart" for what, Gadfly? Your sordid purpose to destroy faith?

Somone go to RFM and find the most unarticulate [sic], loud and angry anti-Mormon and I'll put my money on him or her in an intellectual cage match with Madsen any day.

You haven't changed, Gadfly. You're still wearing Korihor's garments, like a blood-sucking leech trying to destroy faith because you lost yours. Don't you have anything better to do with your time than trying to destroy a faith which brings meaning and happiness to many?

[_Gazelam]

I love to hear the man speak. Mainly because the Spirit of the Holy Ghost testifies so strongly when he does so.

He opens his talks in the compilation entitled "The Life and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith" by saying that in his original lecture series "Joseph Smith the Prophet" he intentionaly left out points of arguement. His intention wasn't to make an apologetic piece, it was to testify of a prophet of God. He is well aware of all of the issues the anti's have. He simply chooses to ignore them. His mentor Hugh Nibley spent a lifetime dealing with many such issues, and critics are welcome to go through those books all they want.

Brother Madsen serves up a strong testimony of the gospel, and the members love him for it.

[_evolving]

Mainly because the Spirit of the Holy Ghost testifies so strongly when he does so.

Just so we are on the same page - Bro. Madsen tells half truths, he omits or ignores historical facts that paint a near perfect, christ-like man, a monogamous loving committed relationship w/Emma, a loving playful father, heroic leader on Zions camp, killed as a innocent martyr peacefully accepting his death in Carthage as a call home from God... and the HG testifies of this truth...are you kidding me !! He(Madsen) and Dr. Bushman are on two different planets when they describe Joseph.

Did I feel the Spirit back in the Day while listening to this drivel... Well according to my journal Yes.. and then some.. I attributed my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith to those very moments in Nauvoo walking the streets, listening to those very tapes.
Using that formula -
Do you believe God has the ability to testify to a half-truth??, or is it possible I was deceived by an emotional reaction to a heartfelt story that I wanted to believe with "every fiber of my being" I believe now I wanted a testimony so bad -- I made it happen??? Me. not some mystical warm fuzzy giving casper..

[_silentkid]

I love to hear the man speak. Mainly because the Spirit of the Holy Ghost testifies so strongly when he does so.

Truman Madsen has the gift of spirit voice.

Spirit Voice: When a member of the church is giving a talk/testimony and they soften their speech, drawing out words like Gaaaawd. Some GA's are masters of this technique (i.e. Richard G. Scott, Tommy Monson). Back in my mission days, we used to do this intentionally when relating our stats and teaching experiences in zone conference.

[_Gadianton]

Hello, Gadfly, I see you've come back to spread your unbelief. When we die, "that's it", right? I thought you gave your "farewell" posts long ago. Not a turncoat, are you?

Yes, and Yes.

You can't be serious? Truman is a motivational speaker. I did not agree with his biography of Roberts, but in his own right he's a very inspirational human being with a solid conviction about his personal beliefs. His book Christ and the Inner Life was one of the most inspirational books I ever read.

Yes I am serious. Anyway, I'm glad he really believes in the things he publishes books on.

"Take him apart" for what, Gadfly? Your sordid purpose to destroy faith?

For setting out to destroy the faith of those who believe different than he does. See the attack he launches in his 11 golden questions article on Meridian.

Don't you have anything better to do with your time than trying to destroy a faith which brings meaning and happiness to many?

No.

[_Yong Xi]

I love to hear the man speak. Mainly because the Spirit of the Holy Ghost testifies so strongly when he does so.

He opens his talks in the compilation entitled "The Life and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith" by saying that in his original lecture series "Joseph Smith the Prophet" he intentionaly left out points of arguement. His intention wasn't to make an apologetic piece, it was to testify of a prophet of God. He is well aware of all of the issues the anti's have. He simply chooses to ignore them. His mentor Hugh Nibley spent a lifetime dealing with many such issues, and critics are welcome to go through those books all they want.

Brother Madsen serves up a strong testimony of the gospel, and the members love him for it.

Truman Madsen is an actor. He has made a career out of bearing his testimony as though he is "seeing through the veil". He knows how to push the buttons of the faithful.